1 | And when they had passed through Amphipolis and Apollonia, they came to Thessalonica, where there was a synagogue of the Jews. |
2 | And Paul, according to his custom, went in unto them; and for three sabbath days he reasoned with them out of the scriptures: |
3 | Declaring and insinuating that the Christ was to suffer, and to rise again from the dead; and that this is Jesus Christ, whom I preach to you. |
4 | And some of them believed, and were associated to Paul and Silas; and of those that served God, and of the Gentiles a great multitude, and of noble women not a few. |
5 | But the Jews, moved with envy, and taking unto them some wicked men of the vulgar sort, and making a tumult, set the city in an uproar; and besetting Jason's house, sought to bring them out unto the people. |
6 | And not finding them, they drew Jason and certain brethren to the rulers of the city, crying: They that set the city in an uproar, are come hither also; |
7 | Whom Jason hath received; and these all do contrary to the decrees of Caesar, saying that there is another king, Jesus. |
8 | And they stirred up the people, and the rulers of the city hearing these things, |
9 | And having taken satisfaction of Jason and of the rest, they let them go. |
10 | But the brethren immediately sent away Paul and Silas by night unto Berea. Who, when they were come thither, went into the synagogue of the Jews. |
11 | Now these were more noble than those in Thessalonica, who received the word with all eagerness, daily searching the scriptures, whether these things were so. |
12 | And many indeed of them believed, and of honourable women that were Gentiles, and of men not a few. |
13 | And when the Jews of Thessalonica had knowledge that the word of God was also preached by Paul at Berea, they came thither also, stirring up and troubling the multitude. |
14 | And then immediately the brethren sent away Paul, to go unto the sea; but Silas and Timothy remained there. |
15 | And they that conducted Paul, brought him as far as Athens; and receiving a commandment from him to Silas and Timothy, that they should come to him with all speed, they departed. |
16 | Now whilst Paul waited for them at Athens, his spirit was stirred within him, seeing the city wholly given to idolatry. |
17 | He disputed, therefore, in the synagogue with the Jews, and with them that served God, and in the marketplace, every day with them that were there. |
18 | And certain philosophers of the Epicureans and of the Stoics disputed with him; and some said: What is it, that this word sower would say? But others: He seemeth to be a setter forth of new gods; because he preached to them Jesus and the resurrection. |
19 | And taking him, they brought him to the Areopagus, saying: May we know what this new doctrine is, which thou speakest of? |
20 | For thou bringest in certain new things to our ears. We would know therefore what these things mean. |
21 | (Now all the Athenians, and strangers that were there, employed themselves in nothing else, but either in telling or in hearing some new thing.) |
22 | But Paul standing in the midst of the Areopagus, said: Ye men of Athens, I perceive that in all things you are too superstitious. |
23 | For passing by, and seeing your idols, I found an altar also, on which was written: To the unknown God. What therefore you worship, without knowing it, that I preach to you: |
24 | God, who made the world, and all things therein; he, being Lord of heaven and earth, dwelleth not in temples made with hands; |
25 | Neither is he served with men's hands, as though he needed any thing; seeing it is he who giveth to all life, and breath, and all things: |
26 | And hath made of one, all mankind, to dwell upon the whole face of the earth, determining appointed times, and the limits of their habitation. |
27 | That they should seek God, if happily they may feel after him or find him, although he be not far from every one of us: |
28 | For in him we live, and move, and are; as some also of your own poets said: For we are also his offspring. |
29 | Being therefore the offspring of God, we must not suppose the divinity to be like unto gold, or silver, or stone, the graving of art, and device of man. |
30 | And God indeed having winked at the times of this ignorance, now declareth unto men, that all should everywhere do penance. |
31 | Because he hath appointed a day wherein he will judge the world in equity, by the man whom he hath appointed; giving faith to all, by raising him up from the dead. |
32 | And when they had heard of the resurrection of the dead, some indeed mocked, but others said: We will hear thee again concerning this matter. |
33 | So Paul went out from among them. |
34 | But certain men adhering to him, did believe; among whom was also Dionysius, the Areopagite, and a woman named Damaris, and others with them. |